1933 Chicago World's Fair

Although the 1893 Chicago’s World Fair is the famous one because of all of the innovations introduced during the fair, Chicago hosted it’s second World’s Fair 40 years later. This World’s Fair celebrated the centennial of Chicago’s incorporation and also had it’s share of wonders. I was introduced to this World’s Fair when a gentlemen I was interviewing told me about his visit there in 1933 when he was 10 years old. After the interview, I went looking for more information about the fair so that I would be able to ask him better questions about the fair. Here’s a link to a site with some fun information about the fair. Take a look at some of the information there. I would have liked to visit the fair even today. There were houses of tomorrow, babies in incubators, a giant Read more…

A Wonder of Natural Resources: West Virginia at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair

When Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion first enter Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz, they are awestruck by the wonders that fill the city. The scene is based on author L. Frank Baum’s memory of how he felt when he visited the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The first World’s Fair featured innovations like the Ferris wheel, alternating current electricity, the first commercial movie theater, and a moving sidewalk. Attendees were also introduced to the hootchy-kootchy dance and a new-fangled clothing option: the zipper. Planned as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World, the fair became an exploration of the American Spirit throughout history and into the future. Chicago won the right to host the first World’s Fair, besting New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St. Louis. New Read more…